peacefulbeliever,
The foundational text for baptism John 3:5 is foundational text for the new birth, being born again. It is fully speaking of birth and is fully understandable in the context.
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body >>>> spirit [the only way to become part of the body is to be born again of the Spirit] 1 Cor. 12:13
Romans 6:3-4 - Is a spiritual reality of what it is to be born again - water is symoblic of what happened spiritually
You are correct, baptism is "being born from above". It is entrance into the Body of Christ.
I haven't mentioned Ephesians 1:13 but it goes along with baptism with the holy Spirit for when we are baptized with holy Spirit - we are sealed.
It goes along with it but is a separate event. One receives the Gift ofthe Holy Spirit if and when on is baptised.
Titus 3:5 - washing of regeneration - you know the word for regeneration is paliggenesia (comes from palin meaning a new, again A. renewal and from genesis meaning source, origin - used of birth) 1. new birth, reproduction, renewal, re-creation - washing of new birth, renewal and renewing, to make new of/by the holy Spirit - - - -each and every verse has to do with the baptism of the holy Spirit.
which is why it is baptism. Baptism is by water and the Spirit. Everytime baptism is mentioned or inferred as it does here it by the Holy Spirit. One cannot separate water/Spirit.
John 3:5 I am just going to deal with the literal meaning here in the context:
water >>>>> That which is born of the flesh is flesh. (3:6) physical birth
spirit >>>>>> That which is born of the Spirit is spirit (3:6) new birth, i.e. spiritual birth
this must be an "ole wives tale" or something. This idea is unheard of until well after the reformation. It is wholly protestant and unscriptural. John 3:5 is the sine quo non definition of baptism and entrance into Christ, the "borning from above". It is water and the Spirit.
Romans 6:3,4
water >>>>>> symbolic of Christ's death and resurrection
spirit >>>>>> the reality of Christ's death and resurrection - the promise of holy Spirit
water >>>>>> not mentioned
spirit >>>>>> sealed until the day of redemption
why would water need to be mentioned. It is describing what water baptism accomplishes. This whole chapter is known as the baptism chapter.
water >>>>> not mentioned
spirit >>>>> by the washing of regeneration [being born again] and renewing [being made new] of/by the holy Spirit
again, it is describing water baptism. It is what baptism does.
I thought that you understood from your first statement, but then digress to absolute contradiction of scripture.
Here is what Justin Martyr states about baptism and John3:5.
"Those who are convinced that what we teach is true and who desire to live accordingly are instructed to fast and to pray to God for the remission of all their past sins. We also pray and fast with them. Then we bring them to a place where there is water, and they are regenerated in the same manner in which we ourselves were regenerated. They then receive the washing with water in the name of God (the Father and Lord of the universe) and of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit. For Christ said, 'Unless you are born again, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven"' [John 3:5]. (Justin First Apology chant 61)
Or Clement...
But you will perhaps say, 'What does the baptism of water contribute toward the worship of God?' In the first place, because that which has pleased God is fulfilled. In the second place, because when you are regenerated and born again of water and of God, the frailty of your former birth, which you have through men, is cut off, and so . . . you shall be able to attain salvation; but otherwise it is impossible. For thus has the true prophet [Jesus] testified to us with an oath: "Verily, I say to you, that unless a man is born again of water . . . he shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Recognitions of Clement 6:9 [A.D. 221]).
Or Basil the Great ....
"This then is what it means to be `born again of water and Spirit': Just as our dying is effected in the water [Rom. 6:3, Col. 2:12-13], our living is wrought through the Spirit. In three immersions and an equal number of invocations the great mystery of baptism is completed in such a way that the type of death may be shown figuratively, and that by the handing on of divine knowledge the souls of the baptized may be illuminated. If, therefore, there is any grace in the water, it is not from the nature of water, but from the Spirit's presence there" (The Holy Spirit, 15:35).(375 AD)
They all categorically deny your interpretation.